| R 113 |
| 2022 -- S 2269 Enacted 02/15/2022 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY OF 2022, AS "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senators Mack, Cano, Felag, Burke, Quezada, DiPalma, Murray, Acosta, Lombardo, and Raptakis |
| Date Introduced: February 15, 2022 |
| WHEREAS, Throughout the history of America, truly significant African-American |
| contributions to the economy, social growth, sciences, and arts in this great nation have all too |
| often been ignored. In recognition of this plethora of major accomplishments made by men and |
| women of African ancestry, the month of February is celebrated as "Black History Month" across |
| the nation; and |
| WHEREAS, African-Americans were first brought to America forcibly. They were |
| enslaved, faced inhuman cruelty, and were subjected to injustices beyond understanding. Families |
| were torn apart, lynching went unpunished, and segregation and denial of fundamental |
| constitutional rights and protections went on for decades; and |
| WHEREAS, Though these men, women and children suffered immense tragedies and |
| social inequalities, they also persevered, and their triumphs and contributions to the economic, |
| artistic, literary, scientific, and technological advancement of our country are significant and |
| momentous; and |
| WHEREAS, African-Americans have been an integral part of Rhode Island's social, |
| political, and economic development from its beginning as a British colony, to its inclusion in the |
| formation of the United States, to the rich diversity of today's Ocean State; and |
| WHEREAS, The systemic gaps that exist and continue to prevent the Black community |
| from creating generational wealth, for example, the existing home ownership gap between the |
| African-American community and the rest of American society must be recognized; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States and particularly the State of Rhode Island owe a debt of |
| gratitude to our African-American citizens and their forefathers, whose documented |
| achievements have too long gone unrecognized; and |
| WHEREAS, The theme for this year's celebration of Black History Month is "Black |
| Health and Wellness." This theme resonates for many given the current Covid-19 Pandemic and |
| the racial disparities that exist within America Healthcare. Observances throughout the month of |
| February will honor Black health pioneers such as Daniel Hale Williams, a renowned cardiologist |
| who performed the world's first successful open heart surgery in 1893, and Rebecca Lee |
| Crumpler, who in 1864 became the first Black woman in the United States to receive a medical |
| degree. Also, communities are being encouraged to honor and recognize the many doulas, |
| midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, and others who have worked tirelessly to improve the health |
| and well-being of Black Americans; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proudly proclaims |
| February as "Black History Month", and furthermore recognizes and applauds the sacrifices and |
| myriad contributions made by African-American men and women throughout this great nation's |
| history; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. |
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| LC004790 |
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